Yeah, that's exactly what I believe too. I do think it's great that the Catholics do so many good works, but I think it's for the wrong reason.

Priest: "Oh, naughty Jimmy! Here's what you need to do: give the next hobo you see 5 bucks, take a bullet for a stranger, and just to top it off, sell everything you have and give the profit to the church!"

Standardized prayers are probably the most impersonal thing in religion.

If you're going to speak with God, speak with him. But don't recite an overused poem.

9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11Give us this day our daily bread.

12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

He gave us this because the people at that time had no idea how to speak to God. They didn't know what to say, so they got this as kind of a starter. It's more of a template than anything. Nowhere does Jesus or Peter or any apostle say that this prayer should be recited verbatim.

In our prayers we should praise God's glory, ask forgiveness for our sins, thank him for all he gives us, and impart to him our struggles and ask for his guidance. That's all this prayer is telling us to do.

But the Catholic Church took this scripture and made it a chant that everyone should use. That's why you hear this before sports games:

Coach: "Alright boys, let's kick some a**!"
Team: "YEAH!!"
Coach: "But first guys, huddle up and say the Lord's Prayer with me. Our Father who art in Heaven..."

It's hypocritical and demeaning of what prayer is all about.

He gave us this because the people at that time had no idea how to speak to God. They didn't know what to say, so they got this as kind of a starter.

Stop speaking out of ignorance, it makes you look like a bigger idiot.

But the Catholic Church took this scripture and made it a chant that everyone should use. That's why you hear this before sports games:

Coach: "Alright boys, let's kick some a**!"
Team: "YEAH!!"
Coach: "But first guys, huddle up and say the Lord's Prayer with me. Our Father who art in Heaven..."

It's hypocritical and demeaning of what prayer is all about.

I mean things like not allowing divorce, etc.

Yeah, they don't control who prays and when they pray. That's all up to them.
When I say the Church gets involved with personal life, I mean things like not allowing divorce, etc.

They allow divorce. If your spouse commits adultery or domestic violence, the Catholic Church will give you the green light.

I thought the whole point of the Church is to be involved in a follower's personal life.
Am I missing something here?

Adultery or domestic violence, both of which are sins in themselves. How many Catholics do you think would do that when they know God and the Church don't want them to?

The point of the Church is to enforce religious law, or at least it used to be right up to the days before the Reformation.
They claim to have the same goal now, but it certainly doesn't seem that way.

That is one of the most misused passages in the whole Bible. It means you shouldn't hold someone to a standard you aren't holding yourself to, it does not mean that people shouldn't be held accountable for disobeying God's commands.

People are held accountable by God, they are judged when they die.
There is simply no place for the church to judge and punish people. I think the only time a person should be reprimanded by the church is if they are leading others astray. Otherwise, it's their personal choice how they live, the church can only guide them.

People are held accountable by God, they are judged when they die.
There is simply no place for the church to judge and punish people. I think the only time a person should be reprimanded by the church is if they are leading others astray. Otherwise, it's their personal choice how they live, the church can only guide them.